I have been saying for several months now that if I could just get up at 5:30 every morning, it would change my life, but for some reason, I’ve only done it once! The day that I got up went so smoothly! My day was filled with time to do the things that are important to me…I immediately meditated, had coffee, read a little of my book and then started blogging. I was finished by around 10 and had time on my hands to either work more or do yoga or just whatever I decided. I loved it, but why is it so hard to do it again. Literally every night, I go to bed and tell myself that I’ll get up and then I simply don’t. Let me be clear, I’m not sleeping until 9 am, I’m getting up between 6:15 and 6:45, but an extra 45 minutes to an hour in the morning would make a huge difference! I’m outing myself here and hoping that by holding myself accountable on Crazy Blonde Life, I’ll make a change. Why would I not do something that I think would change my life for the better?
I’m going to chalk it up to a lack of self discipline. It’s no different than deciding not to do yoga one day, or standing at the counter eating something unhealthy for lunch or dinner. I have plenty of food in the refrigerator that I could use to make a nice meal and my yoga mat stays rolled out all of the time. It’s all about choices. The things that I’m talking about here aren’t hard, but they do require a discipline of the mind.
Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most!
Why do we put off the things that would make our lives better until tomorrow? The things I’m talking about here seem simple (and are really), but they must become habits. that will get easier with time. I’m challenging you and myself to stop putting off the things that we know will make our lives easier and richer in the long run. Self discipline will be the thing that saves us when things get really hard.
There are some days when I get up, meditate (I’m usually very disciplined about that) and immediately sit down at my computer. I don’t know where the time goes, but sometimes I realize that it’s noon or later and I’m still sitting here working and haven’t eaten or showered. There is nothing worse than losing control of the seconds and minutes that make up your life. I am very aware that I can change my life for the better by making some very simple choices. By making those choices, I’m taking care of myself, knowing that I will be more present and better for myself and the people that I care about. The small things that we decide to change on a daily basis are the things that will change our lives for the better. What we decide to do today determines what tomorrow will be like.
My choices are going to be to get up earlier (I may have to ease into it 15 minutes at a time), to drink more water (I actually have an app on my phone to remind me), to do 15 – 20 minutes of some type of exercise every day, and to read something that I enjoy for 15 minutes a day.
Crazy Blonde Life is my passion, but I can’t allow it to take over my life. My goal in writing this blog is to inspire my readers to live their best lives and I can’t be very inspiring if I’m not living my best life!
What small things can you change on a daily basis to improve your life? Please leave me a comment and let me know! I am holding myself accountable here on my blog and I would love for us to support each other in making small changes now that will result in big changes later!
I’ll keep you updated on my progress!
Image from Pinterest
Just a bit about the outfit! I’ve featured all or mostly white all week on the blog because it’s officially summer and I love this look. It’s so easy to throw on all white pieces, add black or colorful accessories and be out the door looking great. I’ve linked the exact sweater and similar shoes and pants above.
As always, I appreciate your comments, questions and suggestions, so let me know what you think of this post in the comment box below! Happy Weekend!
If you’re looking for some great tips on getting organized, my friend and fellow blogger, Rebecca Phillips wrote a post that you’ll definitely want to read! You can see it by clicking here.
Photography by Taylor Moser Designs
Hi Suzanne,
I have been doing the “getting up earlier thing” 3 days a week to walk. Hoping to keep it up! You are my inspiration!
About white pants- what brand are yours? I like the fit as I am same height.
😊
Deborah
You are inspiring me now! I think it’s so nice to walk in the morning, especially now that it’s getting hot.
The white pants that I’m wearing in the picture are AG and I think I got them at Anthropologie last spring. My favorite white jeans are J Brand. Have a great day!
You speak truth, but it’s not always easy. When my friends say they don’t have time for something, I realize then they really don’t want to do it, because we make time for what we really want!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Yes I agree…I do want to make these changes because I want to see what they will make room for in my life!
Great post!
So here’s my list of small changes that I just started last week and I can’t believe how much it has impacted my life.
1. Instead of my 1/2 glass of wine I have while making dinner, I now have a healthy cocktail and put it in a martini glass. Totally feels like a treat.
2. As a jewelry designer, I ship my orders everyday. This can take up to an hour. I used to wait until the end of the day, but now I do it as soon as I’m done in the late morning. I now have the rest of the day for all the other parts of my business and I’m so much more productive since it’s not hanging over my head.
3. I spend 15 minutes a day organizing something. It can be a sock drawer, pantry, shelf, whatever.
Small changes really do make a big difference!
Oh my gosh I love this! You inspire me! Thank you so much for sharing…I really love the healthy cocktail idea because I also drink a little wine while making dinner and sometimes it adds up to too much! I’m going to try this! It’s all about perception. Have a great weekend!
Well you look beautiful as always. I love the honesty that you share with us. For me it is getting out in the yard and making sure that all of my flowers and plants get enough water and I have to make sure the ducks and birds get fed. Sometimes I can be a slacker on this, but I have promised myself that I would be faithful to this. I love my backyard and love all the wildlife that lives here with me. This gives me so much peace after crunching numbers all day, I’m a book keeper and it can be a headache job sometimes, but I love it!! I really enjoy reading the blog you write. So please take care and I will be reading soon, thank you.
Kim
Hi Kim!
I think it’s great that you like to work in your yard and feed the ducks and birds. I also like to work in my yard, but don’t do it nearly as often as I would like. It’s nice to discover things that feed your soul and being out in Nature is certainly one of those things. I’m so glad to hear that you are enjoying my blog! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! Have a great weekend!
Suzanne, First, I LOVE your blog! It is evident that you have made a substantial investment in the photography and your website. The content is always engaging and the photo styling is consistently beautiful. I discovered you through "You Look Fab" and I will be a regular reader. My small change is to start exercising everyday. I’m starting with a 10 minute walk today. You’ve inspired me! Thank YOU!
Oh wow! I’m so happy that you shared with me! It was such an honor to be featured on You Look Fab…I just love the website. I think walking is one of the best exercises that we can do for body and soul! I appreciate your kind words and I am so glad that you are enjoying Crazy Blonde Life! Please let me know if there is anything you would like to see!! Have the best weekend!
First, really liking your blog and outfit ideas (And cooking, need to explore those more) — just discovered you through the YLF feature this week. What I’ve found very helpful when trying to make these kinds of lifestyle changes/habits — and how I’ve been able to establish and keep a regular gym habit going is this: I remind myself that while I never regret doing the thing, whatever it is, I often – or always — regret NOT doing it. Like the gym, or meditation, or healthy eating, or whatever. That little reminder in my head: you won’t regret doing it, but you’ll regret it if you don’t – really helps me to stay on target to my goals.
Hi bubu! I love your name! You are sooo right that we never regret doing the things that serve us! I think "you won’t regret doing it" is the best mantra! I’m going to tell myself that when the alarm goes off at 5:30! Thank you so much for commenting…I’m so happy you found my blog! Have a great weekend!!
Love the transparency here… it really is the little things like drinking more water ( and for me less wine,lol) also if I want to make changes like getting up earlier to try it in increments.. love that! For me it’s about how I tend to procrastinate and also feel overwhelmed with all I need to do that I get paralyzed. One bite of the elephant at a time is my motto and the biggest lesson I am learning is letting go of being perfect. Perfectionism is really destructive. I love your outfit here from head to toe! Enjoy your weekend and shine on!!
Hi Julie! I’ll admit that I should drink more water and less wine! It’s so easy to get overwhelmed and sometimes it just blindsides us! Easier sad than done, of course, but staying in the moment is always helpful. Just take those long deep healing breaths and when you do, the stress melts a little. You’re so right about being a perfectionist. I spent so much of my life thinking that if I was perfect, at everything, that people would love me. I found out the hard way that it doesn’t work that way! You are so sweet to comment! I hope you have a great weekend as well!
Hi Suzanne,
I really appreciate this post! Things have gotten kind of crazy and disorganized around here lately, and I think I’ve been feeling overwhelmed and uninspired! In response my routines and good habits have lapsed somewhat. But I will get back on track! One of the things I most want to do is spend more time painting in my studio, experimenting and trying new mediums and techniques. I love it so much and just haven’t been giving myself the time to play and create. That affects my mood, which then affects everything else in my life.
The knowledge that I will regret NOT doing the good things
more than I regret doing them is brilliant! I will definitely make this my mantra! And I will drink more water, too!
Xo Heidi
Hi Heidi!
It’s so easy to slip into that overwhelm that we all feel sometimes and it does definitely affect our creativity. It feels like a vicious never ending cycle! In order to be creative, we have allow ourselves to take time to play and explore! I love your art and can’t wait to see what you do next! I need to have one of your paintings in my life!
The water thing stumps me some days, but I’m doing better. Going now to do my yoga and I won’t regret it! Have a great weekend!